About all we want to do when the temperatures rise is click on the grill, and even that can be a sweat-inducing chore.

Appetites are lighter. We crave cool foods.

Luckily, farmers markets provide the solution — lots of cool, crisp
fruits and vegetables. This year, farmers are reporting a bumper crop of
produce, whether it be peaches or tomatoes, corn on the cob or
cantaloupes.

So, here are quick recipes that take advantage of the he summer
bounty and don’t require heat. We promise you won’t need pots or pans.

Cucumbers

View full sizeAll-America SelectionsCucumber 'Diva,' a nearly seedless version

Nothing is cooler than a cucumber, right? Cucumbers are plentiful at
this time of year and make for an easy, refreshing salad when combined
with tomatoes.

Here’s the recipe: Slice two medium tomatoes, one medium cucumber
and a half of an onion. Layer on a large plate or in a shallow dish.
Combine ½ cup olive oil, 1/3 cup vinegar and 1 teaspoon each of dried
basil and tarragon. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Pour mixture over
vegetables. Refrigerate. Before serving, drain vegetables and reserve
marinade. Place vegetables on top of lettuce and drizzle with marinade
to taste.

You could add tuna, chicken or shrimp if you want.

Watermelon

Eat it plain. There’s no better way. But, if you want something to
sip, try an aqua fresca. The traditional Mexican drink is sure to
provide relief.

Here’s the recipe: Place four cups of cubed watermelon in a blender
with ½ cup of water. Add sugar, to taste. Pour into glasses and garnish
with lime slices and fresh mint leaves.

Instead of sugar, you can use simple syrup infused with such herbs
as basil or mint to sweeten your drink. Simply dissolve 1 cup of
granulated sugar with 1 cup of water and bring to a slow boil over the
stove. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Turn off heat and drop in ½ cup
mint or basil leaves. Allow to steep for 10 minutes. Strain or scoop out
the leaves. The simple syrup can be refrigerated up to one week. Add to
aqua fresca to sweeten.

View full sizeJOE HERMITT, The Patriot-News/filePeaches, known for their fuzzy, soft skin and sweet flavors

Peach

Peach crisp or cobbler is a summer favorite but unfortunately making
one requires turning on the oven. Instead, slice up fresh peaches for
salsa. You can put it on grilled fish or chicken or serve with nacho
chips.

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